Lunchbox Ideas - Can't warm up food

[taylorr]

Hey there! So I'm on a mission to find some lunch ideas for my husband, who works outside and often out of town (can't go home for lunch) and does not have access to a microwave. He will eat sandwiches, but it's not his favorite. He has a bad habit of eating out almost everyday for lunch and it is killing our budget. Any suggestions on what to pack for him to switch things up a bit??

[Megzzzx]

Well you could try pasta salad, tuna fish and crackers. He could just mix it up right there. Umm... chicken ceaser wraps? Chicken, bacon ranch wraps? Maybe do like a pita pocket sandwich or something to change up the whole sandwich. 

[betpchem]

How about something meant to be cold, like a cold soup? I have made a few of those. I have a recipe for a strawberry soup I like, but there are others, like gazpacho. There is always salad, of course. I pack the dressing separately so the vegetables don't get too soggy. 

Here's another idea I just thought of- what about peanut butter and an apple? Or "ants on a log" - celery, peanut butter and raisins. 

Try going to Pinterest and typing in "cold lunch". I'll bet you get lots of ideas. That's where I get all my recipes from. 🙂 

[betpchem]

Nothing like following up my own post but here's a site I found on Pinterest:

http://womanista.com/wellness/amp/2016/06/02/10-no-heat-lunches-to-bring-to-work/ 

Looks like it might give you some ideas. 

[MagsOnTheBeach]

There are food jars that keep food hot for 12 hours now.  They are pricey about $25 for 16 oz but that is what my daughter uses for school.  She mostly takes dinner leftovers in it.  A cold pack and fruit, salad and yogurt round out the meal.  I also put trail mix out for her.  She doesn't lose things - the last one she had just wore out and she had it from 1st grade through half of 9th, so the price doesn't bother me.

I take lunch as well but don't mind room temp salads and yogurt.  I also pack string cheese, nuts, and fruit.  I could throw in an ice pack, but usually, I don't bother.

Some people like my daughter just don't feel like they have eaten unless it is a hot lunch.  In the winter she packs soups and stews.  

[Esya]

@betpchem

That website does not work for me. Comes up with a 404 error.

[betpchem]

Hmmmmm. That's odd. Try this:

http://womanista.com/wellness/2016/06/02/10-no-heat-lunches-to-bring-to-work/

[Esya]

@betpchem

Yes, that one works 🙂 .

[josephz2va]

There are a lot of grocery items that do not require a microwave. Just splice most of those together.

PB&J sandwich

Tuna sandwich

Lunch meat sandwich

PB celery

Cup-O-Noodles and borrowing someone's hot water heater or say the cafeteria allows you to pour a cup of hot water for example.

Nutribullet Shakes

Whey Protein shakes from GNC

Instant Coffee (hot water from the bathroom sink)

Uber Eats - deliver me a steak salad meal